The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-07-05
Was She frivolous?

back with carless grace from his
smooth brow.
He was visiting one OF those wretch
ed tenement houses used by the very
poor, and before him was forlorn
group.
A widow who had just buried her
husbands; she had five helpless Children
the eldest six. the youngest nursing
baby, and pair Of twins among them,
The rags, and, worse than all the
dirt of poverty was eve rywhere appar-
ont.
An expression of Utmost sublime pity
Rrested on the Ountenance OF the min
sister.
The woman, with her apron thrown
over her head, rocked herself to and
fro and walled forth her troubles.
II don't know what I'm a-goin' to
do for myself and the little 'uns.
Though my old man would have his
drink, he didn't beat u.s. and brought
enough to us to keep body and soul to"
gether. but now l know we can't do
nothin but starve and die y
.sHave you no friends?" asked MIR.
Shaw in low voice.
"Some, but as bad or wuss off than
u.s. Yes" she said, looking up with
grateful, bright expression, "there is
one-Lord bless her who has done
lot for me-Miss Mehitable Sanks. She
sent medicine and the doctor to the old
man, and guy me clothes and suthin'
to eat; and many's the man, woman
and child that blesses her for taken
care of EN-. Why, sir, she even leaves
little cards with stamps on EN-, and
Job Potter, who can write, sends EN-
TO her when we are in very bad
state"
\ After assuring her of his sympathy,
land that he would do what he could for
her, the minister wendell his way
home. As he thought OF those to
whom he might appeal, vision OF
bright face haunted him. but while he
fingered over the thought most tende T.
" there was shadow on mis- brow as
If there was some slight jar that married
the harmony of his thoughts.
Mr. Shaw was the rector OF one OF
the wealthy churches of the city, and
Mabel Lee was one of the parishio ners.
Her face was Madonna-lille in its tender
curves and beauty, the large blue eyes
,,fe aInacs fba t,prfapt
curve of the red lips, the faultless COM
plexion, and blonde hair that was like
halo of light round the graceful head.
But all, when she talked it was like
damper, mist on beautiful picture,
marring the tints that would otherwise
have been perfect.
Bright and witty, but butterfly;
such a devotee to society that one
longed for the expression of a single
serious thought that could leaven into
something like common sense this per-
sonfcation of frivolity. With it all,
however, she was lovely and lovable to
every one, and Mr.. Shaw had long
struggled against an interest in her,
the indulgence of which he felt wou Id
be fatal to his future happiness and
usefulness.
Absorbed in these thoughts, he found
himself in front of Mr.. Lees house.
and, obeying an impulse. he turned
in at the gate and was admitted.
As Miss Lee entered the parlor he
thought he had seldom seen fairer
vision, and was vexed to feel his heart
throb more quickly, and thrill with a
pleasure that he felt must be controlled.
She greeted him with that easy grace
which was one of her principal charms.
'.Ah Mr.. Shawl l am so glad to
see YOU. had real spell of ennui
this morning This last novel is wretch
ed, as both hero and heroine die in the
most provoking way, all because OF
some overstrained idea OF duty, and
was just wishing that some one would
come in, and could have cheerful
little chat to dispel the gloomy impress
= sion"
"Then I'm afraid" smillingly, "you
II will not like your present visitor. l
have not come in very cheerful hum
or: and. besides. l wish to ask favor
IA favorl That is too lovely. Con-
slider II granted. even to the half OF my
kingdom. am truly glad that you
wish to ask favor of me, because did
Il